 | | Who knows who Liam may bump into in Cannes? |
Liam's journey to Cannes is part of Bradford's bid to become the first ever UNESCO City of Film. The idea behind the trip is to encourage and develop both aspiring and established filmmakers. Liam says: "This is an amazing opportunity for me. When I found out I was accepted to go to Cannes I was excited, shocked and nervous. It still hasn't sunk in yet. I don't think it will until I get there. I'm a Bradford citizen and I want to do my best for the city. I feel very proud to be part of the future of the city and its bid to become International City of Film. It stands an amazing chance as long as local people are behind it." Liam is an 18-year-old filmmaker who currently works as a community reporter for Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB). Part of his role involves reporting events in his own neighbourhood. Liam says that he loves his job because it involves the community and believes that Undercliffe - where he lives - is one of the best filming locations outside London. He says: "Undercliffe is a beautiful location. It has so much history and so many films have been made there." Bradford Council, the National Media Museum and Screen Yorkshire are working on the bid to make Bradford the first internationally designated City of Film. If successful this would promote the local film industry and raise Bradford's profile as a location for making films.  | | Liam |
The Bradford City of Film bid is being chaired by another Undercliffe filmmaker, Steve Abbot. Born and bred in Undercliffe, he went on to produce a number of films including A Fish Called Wanda, American Friends, Blame it on the Bellboy, Brassed Off and Fierce Creatures. He also spent eight years managing the Monty Python group and has won various awards including a Cesar (the French equivalent of an Oscar), several BAFTAs and an Oscar. Liam says: "It's amazing to know that someone from my own area has had such success. I've never spoken to him before but hopefully I'll get a chance to speak to him at Cannes." Liam is a massive film fan: "If I'm going to go all pretentious and cool I'd probably have to say Breathless by Jean Luc Godard. That film just reeks of coolness. I love it. If I just want to watch a film to chill out and have a laugh I'd have to say Clerks directed by Kevin Smith. It's not really about anything but two convenience store clerks who have all sorts of problems one day. I think it's really funny." He studied A-Level Film Studies at Huddersfield New College and says he owes a great deal to his film studies tutor Dan Hanlon: "I learnt so much about film in his classes and he invited filmmakers in who taught us about Cannes. If I hadn't have done Film Studies at Huddersfield New College I wouldn't have been going to Cannes this week." But Liam doesn't really know what to expect when he gets to the Festival: "There's going to be so much to see. I just want to really enjoy it and soak it all up. Cannes is split into two parts. There's the glitz and the glam and then there's Cannes Market Place. That's where people from the industry go to buy and sell films, raise money for projects and pitch ideas. That is the part I'm most looking forward to. You never stop learning but to be given the opportunity to learn so much so quickly is amazing."  | | From the Aire to the Med: Cannes |
Liam has a few ideas for films - including some based in Bradford - which he wants to share with producers in Cannes: "I'd love to make a film based in Bradford. There hasn't been a major British film based here for the last 20 to 30 years which is crazy because there are so many films to be made. There's a richness and variety in Bradford that's not found in other major cities. You can be in the city centre and drive for ten minutes to find you're surrounded by beautiful countryside. Everywhere you look there's amazing architecture and the cultural diversity is clearly visible." Liam has been given an opportunity that many filmmakers dream of. It will be an experience of a lifetime for Liam but he assures me it won't be his only visit to Cannes. "Hopefully I'll be returning soon to present one of my own films." In the meantime we wish Liam the best of luck at Cannes and in his future film career! | 
